Cuba slams US internet access measure as 'limited', 'divisive'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
29 May 2024 10:24
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Washington's insolent decision to allow some Cubans access to some Internet-related amenities shows just how hostile and severe sanctions on Cuba are.

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A person waves a Cuban flag during a gathering marking International Workers' Day at Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Square in Havana, Cuba, on May 1, 2024. (AP)

The United States Treasury Department announced measures to facilitate access to the Internet in Cuba and financing for entrepreneurs that do not constitute a change in its economic, financial, and commercial blockade of the nation.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) made the decision to allow Cubans access to programs, mobile app stores, social networks, video conferencing platforms, educational platforms, machine translation sites, online maps, and cloud content, among other services, showing just how severe the US sanctions on the Cuban people are.

Washington's hostile policy toward Cuba dates back to March 14, 1958, as Cuban revolutionaries led by the late Fidel Castro fought against the US-allied Fulgencio Batista regime. Sanctions and the embargo against Cuba are the longest enduring unilateral punitive measures in history and have been widely condemned the the United Nations General Assembly.

In its most recent announcement, OFAC said that Washington will maintain its interventionist approach and continue to impose limitations on the Cuban government, officials, and members of the Cuban Communist Party.

Moreover, the United States continues to include Cuba among states that supposedly "sponsor terrorism". Cuba has been the most recent entree on the list which includes Syria, Iran, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Its inclusion on the list also limits Cubans' access to the financial system and Internet services alongside other services and goods, which clashes with OFAC's recent decision.

US decision does not alleviate maximum pressure policy against Cuba

Meanwhile, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs put out a statement pointing out the discrepancies of OFAC's announced measures.

Estas medidas persiguen crear divisiones dentro de la sociedad cubana, mientras gobierno EEUU financia operaciones de desinformación para responsabilizar al Gobierno de #Cuba de los severos daños provocados al pueblo cubano durante 65 años.#MejorSinBloqueo

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— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) May 28, 2024

The intention to allow Cubans access to Internet services was publicly announced on May 16, 2022, the ministry explained, saying that the measures are "limited" and "do not touch the fundamental body of the blockade against Cuba or the additional sanctions that make the maximum pressure policy" employed by Washington.

"Once again, the US government's decision rests on its own distorted vision of Cuban reality, by attempting to artificially separate the private sector from the public sector, when both are part of the Cuban business system and society as a whole," the statement read.

The ministry explained that the latest measures aim to put the private sector in an advantageous position and sideline the Cuban public sector, which had only been established and allowed to grow under the provision of the Cuban government and the public's request.

It also stressed that Cuba has worked relentlessly to overcome American sanctions aimed at hindering the Island's access to the Internet, bypassing the embargo and restrictions by providing the Cuban people free access to hundreds of programs and websites.

"It is evident that the US ratifies its willingness to punish the Cuban state sector, knowing that it provides essential services such as education, health, culture, sports, and others to all Cubans, including the private sector; and that is the guarantee of social justice and equity among citizens," the statement added.

Despite the aggressive and hostile nature of US policy toward the neighboring island, the Cuban Ministry said that it would study the measures, adding that it would open up to them if they "benefit the Cuban population, even if only a segment."

On his part, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez slammed the US in a post on X, accusing it of sowing discord within the Cuban society with these limited measures.

"These measures seek to create divisions within Cuban society, while the US government finances disinformation operations to hold the Government of Cuba responsible for the severe damage caused to the Cuban people for 65 years," he said.